At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Direct Payments by handling admin duties and customer queries.
- Company: Join Calderdale Council's friendly and inclusive team.
- Benefits: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Level 2 Maths and English, plus strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Direct Payment and Monitoring team, which is part of our System and Finance service within Integrated Commissioning and Partnerships, at Calderdale Council. The team supports the Adults and Children\'s Social Care directorates and is responsible for ensuring that Direct Payments are set up for individuals that have been assessed via social care and want to manage their personal budget, and for monitoring that spend is appropriate and accounted for. We are looking to recruit a professional, friendly, and customer-focused Direct Payments Support Officer to join our busy Direct Payment and Monitoring team.
The Direct Payments Support Officer will work across multiple teams to support with the administration duties, including sending out letters and emails, contacting individuals and professionals, arranging and collecting information for meetings, minute taking, answering the duty phone, updating records and other tasks relating to individual Direct Payments. The role will work closely with individuals in receipt of a Direct Payment, promoting and maintaining a customer-focused, high-quality service, and ensuring all queries are dealt with in a timely and professional manner, and in line with Adult\'s and Children\'s policies and procedures.
Responsibilities
- Carry out administration duties across multiple teams to support Direct Payments, including sending letters and emails, contacting individuals and professionals, arranging and collecting information for meetings, minute taking, and updating records.
- Answer the duty phone and respond to customer queries in a timely and professional manner.
- Promote and maintain a customer-focused, high-quality service in line with Adults and Children’s policies and procedures.
- Work with individuals in receipt of a Direct Payment to ensure appropriate monitoring of spend and compliance with relevant policies.
Qualifications and Skills
- Maths and English at Level 2 or equivalent, in addition to other required criteria.
- The ability to work well with others and communicate effectively.
- The ability to interpret and follow policies and procedures.
- The ability to work to deadlines and organise own workload unsupervised.
- The ability to use IT packages, including standard Microsoft Office software.
Equality, Safeguarding and Diversity
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before appointment.
Disability Confident: A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. In certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to.
Our Vision and Working Rights
As part of our Vision, we aim to be a talented, resilient and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working / job share opportunities for both full and part time staff. Calderdale Council declared a climate emergency on 30 January 2019 and embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce. We are committed to an inclusive environment and encourage applications from communities that are currently under-represented in our organisation. All applications are anonymised before being seen by the selection panel.
Direct Payment Support Officer in Halifax employer: Calderdale Council
Calderdale Council is an excellent employer that prioritises a supportive and inclusive work culture, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the community. With a commitment to employee growth and flexible working opportunities, staff are encouraged to develop their skills while contributing to vital social care services. The council's dedication to diversity and safeguarding ensures a welcoming environment for all employees, enhancing job satisfaction and engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Direct Payment Support Officer in Halifax
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Calderdale Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Calderdale Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Calderdale Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Calderdale Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Direct Payment Support Officer in Halifax
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Calderdale Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Calderdale Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Calderdale Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
